Community, Profession, and Policy Practice in Sanxia and Daxi Historical Districts
Community, Profession, and Policy Practice in Sanxia and Daxi Historical Districts
Lee, Huei-Chen; Shih, Chih-Ming
2018-09-01 00:00:00
The implementation of various preservation processes in two historical districts, the Sanxia Minquan District and the Daxi Heping District, yielded different results. In Daxi, old industries and neighborhood networks still exist, whereas in Sanxia, they have disappeared behind the formation of a new commercial community primarily focused on historical tourism. These results were influenced by the promotion and long-term implementation of government policies, the actions of architecture and urban planning professionals, and the formation of historical preservation organizations. Crucial factors for maintaining local characteristics when preserving historical districts are constant governmental investment in historical preservation and district revitalization programs, professional facilitation and assistance in the operation of community organizations, and locally operated community organizations that can propose and execute district preservation and revitalization projects. Keywords: community practice; community empowerment; historical tourism; professional practice; policy practice 1. Introduction industries, landlords, business owners, and residents In Taiwan, the historical preservation movement was shifted their perspectives and began supporting established when certain districts risked disappearing preservation. because of rapid land development after the country's Nearly 40 years after the historical preservation economic ascent. In the early 1980s, no governmental movement in Taiwan was established, a preservation measures were applied to historical districts except for system has been established through cooperation and normative systems regarding monument designation conflicts between communities, professionals, and the and preservation zoning (Han, 1981; Hsia, 1992; Hsu, government. This system, established through trial and 2001, 2012; Lee and Shih, 2012; Lin, 2008; Yu, 1996). error, influenced the results of preservation of various Therefore, landlords in historical districts opposed historical districts. This study analyzed the preservation the preservation of such districts and defended their processes of the Sanxia and Daxi historical districts own interests in development, which halted district from the interaction of various perspectives, including preservation. urban planning and architecture, community, and In response to the complexity of whole-district policy. We examined how the regeneration of historical preservation and opposition from local residents, preservation maintains local atmospheres and historical government and professionals began analyzing and spaces in a manner different from general tourism- reorganizing the problems and strategies regarding the oriented preservation. regional development of historical districts. In addition, they proposed regional preservation and revitalization 2. Investigating the Practice of and Interaction programs as well as relevant modifications to urban between Communities, Architecture and Urban planning laws. When community development and Planning Professionals, and the Government the economic benefits of cultural tourism in historical Regarding Historical Preservation preservation areas became necessary for community In Taiwan, a system for historical preservation was developed by multiple social actors involving the promotion of government policy, the actions of urban *Contact Author: Huei-Chen Lee, Ph.D. Candidate, planning professionals, and the development of district Department of Architecture, National Taiwan University of preservation organizations. This paper discusses Science and Technology, 5 F., No. 53, Ln. 42, Minquan Rd., the effects of the government, communities, and Xindian Dist., New Taipei City 231, Taiwan (R.O.C.). professionals and their practices on the preservation Tel: +886932127688 Fax: +886229139242 and revitalization of historical districts through a case E-mail: hueijane.lee@gmail.com ( Received March 16, 2017 ; accepted July 23, 2018 ) study on two distinct historical districts. DOI http://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.17.433 Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering/September 2018/440 433 Because historical preservation involves regional through the canal trade and forestry product exchange development and living space for many people, in Taiwan during the mid-19th century and were multiple dimensions must be considered before modernized during the period of Japanese rule in commencing preservation projects; such projects the early 20th century. The two districts were local must involve diverse aspects and integrate land usage commercial centers during those eras. Today, though policies and plans. Preservation provides a platform no longer local commercial centers, the two districts for local business and property owners to organize, remain the commercial centers for neighboring towns. fundraise, and improve local development with governmental support (Elsorady, 2012). The economic revitalization of historical districts requires continual cooperation between the government and local communities. Historic-district conservation professionals and their relationships with communities play a role in preservation; although these professionals cannot make decisions, they can help communities increase their capacity and knowledge of cultural heritage. Citizens supported by professionals are empowered to promote the development and systematization of heritage preservation (Nyseth and Sognnæs, 2013). The goal of revitalizing urban historical areas is shared by government agencies, landlords, residents, business owners, and local groups because of a common Fig.1. Locations of Sanxia and Daxi Districts interest; thus, participants are willing to be responsible and lead, and they can transform problems into The two districts differ in their preservation opportunities (Tiesdell et al., 1996). processes and current models of management. Their Healey (1998) formulated collaborative planning differences were investigated to analyze the interactive theory to solve problems involving centralized influences among the government policies, actions of city management in the United Kingdom and the urban planning and conservation professionals, and homogenization of European cities attributable to formation and development of district conservation globalization. According to Healey (1998), the key organizations and their effects on the preservation of factor in improving community quality through the historical districts. appropriate management lies in the cultural quality of The crucial texts regarding urban design adopted by local politics. With satisfactory integration, contacts, and this study were the official urban plans, official reports, knowledge, people can mobilize themselves to improve and news reports. In addition, field surveys of historical their local environments. Conversely, when political districts focusing on community organizations, power and knowledge resources are fragmented, people business owners, and residents were conducted, and cannot mobilize to change their communities. reports were consulted. According to Healey (1998), the importance of 3.1 Preservation Process of Sanxia District collaborative planning lies in unlocking the potential In the Qing dynasty, Sanxia produced large of a community's stakeholders. The three factors quantities of woad, camphor, and tea. During the of institutional capacity are knowledge resources, Japanese colonial period, the introduction of suits relational resources, and mobilization potentials. and kimonos resulted in the decline of the traditional Collaborative planning in urban planning enables the dyeing industry, and dyeing shops were converted into establishment of a system through the aforementioned shops selling suits, gofuku, and cloth, grocery stores, three factors. Collaborative planning theory can and hospitals. After World War 2, siltation and river characterize the power dynamics of institutions, actors, transportation ceased. The center of local development and structures. The theory was adopted to examine shifted, and numerous residents moved. In the 1960s, the policy, community, and professional practices of the mining industry in Sanxia peaked, resulting in the the knowledge resources, relational resources, and development of coffin shops, medical centers, and mobilization potentials for preserving and revitalizing daily consumer services. Sanxia District had eight or historical districts and exploring the problems facing nine coffin shops during this peak period, but they the preservation and revitalization of Taiwan's gradually closed because coal mining declined, and historical districts. the prevalence of cremation increased. The local population was moving, abandoning stores. (Figs.1. 3. Case Analysis and 2.). The two historical districts explored in this study, which share similar characteristics, both emerged 434 JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee Affairs designated Minquan Street as a historical site in 1991. Local residents in opposition to the preservation protested the designation of monuments, citing reasons such as inappropriate monument-listing procedures, loss of interest, appearance of buildings, and insufficient confidence in the government (Mi, 1991). The Council of Cultural Affairs held several meetings to attempt to resolve land development concerns by transferring development rights; however, the Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior was unable to cooperate in urban planning because of deficiencies in the relevant laws. During this period, despite the earnestness of professionals and civil groups, the government was unable to propose supporting measures, such as the financial planning of the restoration, environmental planning, and building maintenance. The designation of monuments was ultimately cancelled because of the opposition of residents. 3.1.2 Opportunities for Building Preservation: Integration of Government Policy to Satisfy Public Demand After the cancellation of the monument-preservation and street-widening projects, the government and professionals began to seek compensatory strategies in area-specific plans for historical areas and floor-area ratio transfer. In 1998, officials from the government of Fig.2. Sanxia District Plan (Hsu, 2012) Taipei County and Sanxia Township office discussed designating Sanxia District as the Sanxia Cultural Landscape Area. Restrictions on the floor-area ratio were loosened, but landlords were required to maintain the original cityscape, including the façades, and to conduct the necessary restorations. A modified urban plan proposed by the Taipei County government was adopted (a redevelopment plan for the Sanjiaoyong historical district) designating Minquan Street as a historical area. In the same year, the deputy mayor established a coordination and promotion committee for street preservation. All problems related to preservation and restoration were solved through cross- departmental and ministerial collaboration. In 2002, the Taipei County government employed architects to promote the reconstruction and planning Fig.3. Sanxia in the Past (Chang, 2006) of Sanxia. These architects established an on-site office. The repair of traditional Sanxia shophouses 3.1.1 During the Initial Stages, the Governmental included the renovation of interior structures, Preservation Policy cannot be Coordinated with bathroom facilities, and kitchen pipes. In addition Professional Strategies and Population Needs to repair, relevant cityscape improvements for the In the 1971 urban plan of Sanxia Township, surrounding and connecting alleys were conducted, Minquan Street was designated to be widened from including installing underground pipelines for sewage, 8 to 15 meters. As the government was preparing to telecommunications, gas, electricity, and cable expropriate Minquan Street in 1989, several residents television. and the Yaoshan Foundation, which assists historical In summary, the conservation of Sanxia depended preservation projects, drafted a petition regarding on the cross-integration of bureaus and offices of the the widening of Minquan Street, demanding that the central and local governments and communication government preserve the street. between on-site professionals and local residents. With the combined ef forts of nonprofits, professionals, and scholars, the Council of Cultural JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee 435 3.1.3 Restoring the Buildings did not Halt the By comparing an investigation conducted in 2003 Decline of the District Networks (Lee, 2003) and one in 2013 by the present author, The residents of the district were divided into the we determined that only 4% of the original shops Sanxia Minquan Street Self-Help Society, who wanted remained, and the rest had altered operations. Before the historical district dismantled, and the Sanxia Street restoration, residences and stores selling necessities Redevelopment Committee, who wanted it preserved. accounted for 65% of shops on Minquan Street. In Neither organization is currently active. When the addition, before restoration, 14 folk art shops were restoration of the historical buildings and the landscape located on Minquan Street, and the development of and road improvements were completed in 2007, the the cultural tourism industry had already commenced. government allocated a preservation fund to the Sanxia After restoration, multiple shops that had been Street authorities for establishing a management repurposed into housing because of declining business committee to handle the follow-up preservation had become stores again, but shops selling groceries, and management efforts. The committee was not hardware, and motor oil disappeared (Table 1.). established because of internal problems, and the funds Table 1. First-Floor Stores in Sanxia District in 2003 and 2013 were recovered by the government. The organizational Type of stores 2003 (%) 2013 (%) mobilization of the district did not persist after the Housing 47 1 restoration and resurfaced only after the Sanxia Daily necessities 18 6 Street Business Circle Development Association was Temples and folk supply 4 1 formed with the assistance of the government in 2012. Coffin shops 2 1 Maintaining this association was difficult because of Tourism 14 91 the rapid flow of tenants and the unwillingness of most Abandoned 9 0 landlords to participate. Dismantled 6 0 Because the neighboring land had already been expropriated, residents had difficulty reconstructing After restoration, in 2007, average monthly rents in their buildings; it was not until the central government Sanxia doubled and then quadrupled from the previous granted subsidies between 2002 and 2006 that the amount of NT$20,000. In 2013, rent for first-floor buildings in the district were repaired and preserved. shops was between NT$50,000–100,000. Because However, most of the residents had already moved out preservation has revitalized the area, landlords rarely of the buildings because of their states of disrepair or live there: renting their properties produces high abandonment. In other words, despite the building and incomes, with nearly 90% of shopfronts being rented. site repairs, the residents had already disappeared, and After Sanxia was restored and stores had been in the community network vanished, undermining the operation for 7 years, revenues exhibited a decreasing subsequent management of the historical district. trend; however, rent continued increasing, causing 3.1.4 Gentrification and Homogenization Generated financial crises. Currently, Sanxia does not have a by Historical Area Tourism major distinguishing industry: its stores are primarily In 2004, shophouse restoration began in Sanxia, tourism-oriented, offering wares such as antique lasting for 3 years. In 2013, statistics on commerce furniture, ceramics, toys, and souvenirs. The increased before and after restoration were studied, revealing rents means that specialized industries that required that it had greatly altered. Analysis of the shops long durations were unable to survive. The problems indicated that business opportunities caused by that Sanxia has encountered are enhancements and preservation planning reduced the number of home- other typical developments that are similar to those of and community-based retail stores, transforming the other historic tourist areas. district into a tourism-centered district (Fig.3.). 3.2 The Preservation of Daxi District During the Qing dynasty, Daxi District was located at the end of the Dahan River transportation route and was a distribution point for economic resources such as wood, rattan, camphor, and mountain herbs. In the Japanese colonial period, Japanese trading companies developed the Daxi mountain area because of its camphor, and Daxi remained a crucial distribution center for agricultural products. In the 1970s, with economic development in Taiwan and most households valuing altars, their manufacture became a crucial industry on Heping Road. The development of the dried tofu industry in Daxi began in 1975 in the Cihu Mausoleum of Late President Chiang and was built in Daxi for the numerous visitors (Huang, 2008), (Fig.4.). Fig.4. Sanxia in the Present 436 JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee Fig.5. Daxi District Plan (Huang, 2008) 3.2.1 Pr ofessionals Adopted the Mode of store surveys and organize cultural festivals. Local Community Development for Historical Districts community organizations maintained the local In Daxi District, preservation was spurred by characteristics of historical districts. incentives for community development and façade 3.2.3 Preservation and Revitalization of Industries preservation. In 1996, historic-district conservation Operated by Community Organizations professionals established an onsite team, Caodianwei Since 1996, the Daxi Township office, local Studio, which assisted the township to administer a residents and professionals have continued to devote cash-reward strategy for a 5-year façade preservation themselves to the preservation and revitalization of project. Resources for community development were the historical district. Approximately 30 wood shops introduced to cultivate local organizations. In August still operate in Daxi District, and most are self-owned 1996, residents organized and established the Taoyuan shopfronts, where the business owners live and work. Tashi District Redevelopment Society (TTOSRS). The development of the dried tofu industry resulted in During this process, professional district preservation seven dried tofu stores, located on Heping Road. The used a community development approach to empower wood and dried tofu industries are crucial industries local residents and assist them to establish local that still exist on Heping Road; these industries help organizations. Through resident involvement in local maintain the district's crucial characteristics. affairs, the organizations had the capacity to mitigate By comparing an investigation conducted in 2003 problems regarding district preservation. (Lee, 2003) and one in 2013 conducted by the present 3.2.2 A Locally Operated Community Organization author, in Daxi District, we determined that 46% of the In 1997, the TTOSRS applied for funding from the stores maintained the same operating status in 2013 government to perform a living-space beautification as they did in 2003, whereas the rest of the stores had project on Heping Road. The organization formulated altered operations. Because of the tourism benefits five working directions on the basis of residential generated by historical district preservation, buildings consensus: façade archway protection and restoration, used for housing were converted into stores. In underground-pipeline installation, lighting system addition, the tourism benefits and the aging of business upgrades, arcade ceiling and floor tile installation, owners resulted in the gradual disappearance of dry and street furniture acquisition. To coordinate façades cleaning and grocery stores (Table 2.). throughout the district, the organization planned to Table 2. Statistics of Store Numbers in Heping District, Daxi in remodel the modern façades of 60 buildings as antique- 2003 and 2013 style façades. The organization actively worked Type of stores 2003(%) 2013(%) to preserve Daxi and prompted the government to Housing 24 5 repair façade archways and spaces exhibiting local Daily necessities 15 5 characteristics. Temples and folk supply 3 1 The organization worked not only to improve Wood workshops 39 31 structures but also to enable local cultural activities Dried tofu shops 3 7 by supporting local organizations to obtain auxiliary Tourism 12 51 programs from the central government. For example, Open spaces and construction sites 4 0 funding from a business circle image-consultation project developed by the Department of Commerce, Daxi residents possess great energy to transform Ministry of Economic Affairs was used in the Daxi the local industry. During the preservation process Food Fair and Wood and Arts Exhibition to conduct and the operation of community organization, JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee 437 certain phenomena were observed in Daxi. On the characteristics, after participating in the TTOSRS. basis of interviews and discussions on domestic and Consequently, a community organization comprising international historical preservation by community local business owners assisted in enhancing self- organizations and the self-learning process that came improvement skills for store operation and forming with TTOSRS operation, most business owners came district characteristics. to share a common vision for district operation and 3.3 Comparing Preservation Processes in Sanxia were certain that distinguishable local industries must and Daxi develop. The TTOSRS also assisted local store owners Minquan Street in Sanxia and Heping Street in Daxi to have a clear vision regarding the district landscape, differed in their preservation processes and outcomes. the usage of arcades and streets, and space quality. Although the historical industries and neighborhood The Caodianwei Studio and TTOSRS shared the same networks continue to exist in Daxi, those of Sanxia vision: to develop industries with local features, value have completely disappeared, and Sanxia became a existing tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and commercial district oriented toward historical tourism. preserve archway façades and arcade space fluency The effects of government policies, the practices of (Fig.5.). urban planning and conservation professionals, and the formation and development of district conservation organizations on the characteristics and preservation of the two districts are visible. Table 3. illustrates the crucial themes of the three actors. As shown in the case of Daxi, the collaborative planning by a district network and organization, professionals, and the government to acquire knowledge resources, relational resources, and mobilization networks was required to reinforce the in situ and unique characteristics of the historical district. Table 3. Comparing the Development of Sanxia and Daxi Item Theme Sanxia Daxi Community Vital community network. practice Internal mobilization of ¾ Fig.6. Daxi District in the Present cultural resources for economic revitalization. Residents own most of the property on Heping Self-management by ¾ Road; therefore, a high proportion of owners live on community organizations Heping Road and run their own shops. Young adults in proposing and implementing district in Daxi also devote themselves to participating in the preservation and local tourist industry. Town Tofu Pudding, located at revitalization plans. No. 34-2 Heping Road, and Japanese Style Handmade ¾ ¾ Professional Professionals enter the Tofu, located at No. 54 Heping Road, produce distinct practice community and form products that represent the Daxi dried tofu industry. Yao a studio for in-depth Teahouse, located at No. 91 Heping Road, integrates communication with the the wood industry and food. The young generation also locals and for connecting participates in the conceptualization and execution of the community with the government. new family businesses. The TTOSRS held activities for Professionals successfully ¾ local children, also facilitating children's participation promote the operations of in public affairs regarding district preservation. These community organizations. connections developed different ideas regarding Continual collaboration ¾ district preservation development among the young between the professional generation. The Gu family of No. 48 and No. and the community 48-1 Heping Road founded the Taiwan Old House organizations. Regeneration Association, which cooperated with Government Continual funding in various professionals and scholars, with the core value policy community-led historical of preserving the heritage of traditional techniques and district preservation and revitalization plans reusing old houses in the process of integrating the Policies promoted the ¾ ¾ operation and repair of their own old house. formation of community Interviews with business owners from Daxi District organizations. revealed that local residents had their own ideas and Gradual establishment ¾ ¾ were willing to devote themselves to operating and of the preservation and modeling the district, producing products with local revitalization system. 438 JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee Table 3. also illustrates the differences between the two and government and when community training assists historical districts in the community, professional, and the organization to formulate and implement district policy practices involved in their preservation. preservation and revitalization plans, local industries 3.3.1 Community Practice can continue to develop, thereby preserving the in situ In Daxi, approximately 60% of property owners and unique characteristics of the historical district. were found to still be operating their own stores, and 3.3.2 Professional Practice approximately 80% of them were still resident in the During the initial stage of the preservation of district. The presence of the original district network Sanxia, local residents either supported preservation or facilitated the operation of historical preservation demolition. Substantial conflict divided those residents organizations. The operation of historical preservation who supported demolition and professionals and organizations in Daxi indicated that local organizations scholars who supported preservation. Professionals and were largely devoted to local improvement projects scholars did not interact much with the community in regarding building maintenance, district repairs, and the late stages. In 2003, the entire area was renovated, industry promotion to obtain government funding, and a Sanjiaoyong District Planning onsite workstation environmental improvements, and the revitalization established by Hsu Yu-Jian Architects was responsible of the local tourist industry. Thus, community for responding to local residents' house repair demands. organizations devoted to preservation were necessary The studio overcame internal resistance and used in every locality to prepare communities for integrating professional communications to persuade the shopfront external resources in the preservation and revitalization owners, including those who initially planned partial of historical districts. repairs, to agree to complete repairs; this resulted in T h e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e T TOSR S c a n b e u se d complete district restoration. as a reference for the operation of other district During the preservation of Daxi, Tseng Tse- organizations. First, the TTOSRS maintained Fong established a professional team, Caodianwei satisfactory relations with preservation professionals, Studio, which extracted a residents' vision of district scholars, and groups, employing government resources preservation through discussion with residents. in the maintenance of public spaces, landscapes, and Simultaneously, the studio assisted residents in cultural activities. Second, the TTOSRS exhibited establishing the TTOSRS by introducing resources concern for women and young people by organizing and programs for community development provided activities. Consequently, in Daxi, numerous women by the government. Community organizations and young people have become entrepreneurs in the established by local residents empowered themselves tourist industry. Finally, organization members are by implementing district-preservation and community- unanimous that maintaining the landscape of the development programs. Subsequently, numerous district is essential. professionals, scholars, and groups cooperated with By contrast, after the decline of the mining industry Daxi's community organization. in Sanxia, numerous residents moved out. In the Dynamic professional practice is crucial in altering 1990s, multiple houses collapsed, and the buildings did the status quo. To professionally assist residents, not become suitable for human habitation again until empowering community organization and facilitating the government intervened. Approximately 90% of residents to mobilize the community are vital. The property owners did not return to live in Sanxia after continual support of professionals assisted the residents the district was renovated, and 90% of the buildings to operate community organizations and was crucial in were rented to store owners. The stores sold tourism- preservation. related goods, lacking local specialties. 3.3.3 Government Policy In the early stage of preservation, two groups existed The preservation of Daxi was supported by in Sanxia District, namely the Sanxia Minquan District community development policy, business circle Self-help Association, which supported demolition, and redevelopment policy, and regional cultural heritage the Sanxia District Redevelopment Committee, which promotion proposed by the central government, and supported maintenance. However, by the late stages of the dedication of the Taoyuan County government and preservation work, neither organization was active. In Daxi Township office to Daxi historical reconstruction. 2007, the government expected landlords to establish The continually operating program and fund a management committee and take responsibility for investment by the government provided Daxi with the subsequent maintenance and management of the the appropriate resources. The government programs district. However, this committee was not established, facilitated the new thinking and action models in and the retention funds were recovered. the district, thereby creating a sustainable force for As revealed in the two case studies, preserving a improving, maintaining, and preserving the quality of historical district requires a community organization the historical district. led by local residents as well as sufficient mobilization In the preservation of Sanxia, the government potential and relational resources. When the district program lacked guidance and building preservation network forms a new network with the professionals models and provoked the opposition of residents JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee 439 in the early stages. In the late stages, the residents' Acknowledgement unwillingness to preserve the district was mollified by We acknowledge Wallace Academic Editing for modifications to urban planning law regarding areas translating this manuscript into English. with historical features, floor-area ratio transfers, and funding for repairing buildings and surrounding References 1) Chang, P.C. (2006) Three Gorges street. Available at: http://blog. environments. In contrast to Daxi, Sanxia only xuite.net/karlcpc/bcc/5455523 [Accessed 1 March 2017]. passively received subsidies or cooperated with 2) Elsorady, D.A. (2012) Heritage conservation in Rosetta (Rashid): programs organized by the consultant company a tool for community improvement and development. Cities, 29 (6), contracted by the government without actively pp.379-388. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2011.11.013 implementing any program. 3) Han, P.T. (1981) The study on Lugang Historical Conservation district. Changhua, Taiwan: The Lukang Board of Antiquities (In Chinese). 4. Conclusions 4) Healey, P. (1998) Building institutional capacity through In the process of Sanxia and Daxi historical collaborative approaches to urban planning: Environment and preservation, we observed that districts where Planning A, 30, pp.1531-1546. community organizations are prosperous, such as Daxi, 5) Hsia, C.J. (1992) The conservation of historic districts. Taipei, Taiwan: Council for Cultural Affairs (In Chinese). developed into districts with rich local characteristics 6) Hsu, Y.C. (2001) Criticism on the policy and social dynamic of that manufacture products with local characteristics. Taiwan historic districts (1990–2000)–The case studies of Hukou Historical preservation transformed the districts Historic Street, Mengxia Bopiliao and Shenkeng Historic Street. because industries that integrate culture and business International Symposium on Cultural Heritage Revitalization, were developed. However, the transformation of the Taipei, Taiwan, pp.21-28 (In Chinese). 7) Hsu, Y.C. (2012) The opportunity and plight of sustainability plan cultural tourism industry lacking further development for urban conservation and regional humanism in Taiwan. Journal of the local industry and directed transformation of US-China Public Administration, 9 (6), pp.691-706. doi: https:// promoted by local community organizations easily ssrn.com/abstract=2465371 results in excessive tourism development lacking local 8) Huang, S.C. (2008) The planning of Daxi Heping Historical characteristics, such as what occurred in Sanxia. District. Taoyuan, Taiwan: Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taoyuan County Government. In the preservation of Sanxia, the government 9) Lee, H.C. and Shih, C.M. (2012) The conservation of historical implemented integration, persuading residents and districts in Taiwan since 1970. Paper presented at 2012 Second landlords who opposed preservation through clear International Conference on Electric Technology and Civil policy guidance and resource input. In addition, the Engineering (ICETCE) (pp.3021-3027), Three Gorges, YiChang, operation of a professional restoration team in the Hubei, China. 10) Lee, T.M. (2003) Study for generally conservation and sustainable community successfully preserved street spaces. In development of traditional town area in Taiwan. Taipei, Taiwan: Daxi, the government consistently provided policy Architecture and Building Research Institute (In Chinese). execution programs. Historical preservation was 11) Lin, C.C. (2008) Criticism on the historic conservation policy and conducted by gradual execution of relevant programs practice of the transfer of development rights in Taiwan. Journal of by central and local governments, professionals, and Culture Resources, 4, pp.27-92 (In Chinese). 12) Mi, F.K. (1991) The Conservation of Sanxia Historic Street. community residents. This highlights the importance Taipei, Taiwan: Ministry of the Interior (In Chinese). of consistent input of government policy and resources 13) Nyseth, T. and Sognnæs, J. (2013) Preservation of old downs regarding historical preservation. Therefore, policy and in Norway: heritage discourses, community processes and the professional development must be highly community- new cultural economy. Cities, 31, pp.69-75. doi: http://dx.doi. based because civil society supported by professionals org/10.1016/j.cities.2012.05.014 14) Tiesdell, S., Oc, T. and Heath, T. (1996) Revitalizing historic urban is a powerful factor in cultural heritage preservation Quarters. Oxford, UK: Architectural Press. development and systematization. For example, 15) Yu, C.C. (1996) A Study on the Specific District Plan and Urban in Daxi, professionals facilitated the formation of Design in Penghu Magong Historic Street. Magong, Taiwan: community organizations, which supported and Penghu County Government (In Chinese). facilitated historical preservation. Thus, not only were community networks preserved but also the physical environment. According to actor and action analysis, the operation of a historical district requires cooperation between the government and the community, participation by a diverse range of stakeholders, and emphasis on local knowledge and relational resources. Through collaborative planning to integrate knowledge resources, relational resources, and a mobilization network, the diverse communities and unique local knowledge can be presented. 440 JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee
http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.pngJournal of Asian Architecture and Building EngineeringTaylor & Francishttp://www.deepdyve.com/lp/taylor-francis/community-profession-and-policy-practice-in-sanxia-and-daxi-historical-yT0F5f51e2
Community, Profession, and Policy Practice in Sanxia and Daxi Historical Districts
Community, Profession, and Policy Practice in Sanxia and Daxi Historical Districts
Abstract
The implementation of various preservation processes in two historical districts, the Sanxia Minquan District and the Daxi Heping District, yielded different results. In Daxi, old industries and neighborhood networks still exist, whereas in Sanxia, they have disappeared behind the formation of a new commercial community primarily focused on historical tourism. These results were influenced by the promotion and long-term implementation of government policies, the actions of architecture and...
The implementation of various preservation processes in two historical districts, the Sanxia Minquan District and the Daxi Heping District, yielded different results. In Daxi, old industries and neighborhood networks still exist, whereas in Sanxia, they have disappeared behind the formation of a new commercial community primarily focused on historical tourism. These results were influenced by the promotion and long-term implementation of government policies, the actions of architecture and urban planning professionals, and the formation of historical preservation organizations. Crucial factors for maintaining local characteristics when preserving historical districts are constant governmental investment in historical preservation and district revitalization programs, professional facilitation and assistance in the operation of community organizations, and locally operated community organizations that can propose and execute district preservation and revitalization projects. Keywords: community practice; community empowerment; historical tourism; professional practice; policy practice 1. Introduction industries, landlords, business owners, and residents In Taiwan, the historical preservation movement was shifted their perspectives and began supporting established when certain districts risked disappearing preservation. because of rapid land development after the country's Nearly 40 years after the historical preservation economic ascent. In the early 1980s, no governmental movement in Taiwan was established, a preservation measures were applied to historical districts except for system has been established through cooperation and normative systems regarding monument designation conflicts between communities, professionals, and the and preservation zoning (Han, 1981; Hsia, 1992; Hsu, government. This system, established through trial and 2001, 2012; Lee and Shih, 2012; Lin, 2008; Yu, 1996). error, influenced the results of preservation of various Therefore, landlords in historical districts opposed historical districts. This study analyzed the preservation the preservation of such districts and defended their processes of the Sanxia and Daxi historical districts own interests in development, which halted district from the interaction of various perspectives, including preservation. urban planning and architecture, community, and In response to the complexity of whole-district policy. We examined how the regeneration of historical preservation and opposition from local residents, preservation maintains local atmospheres and historical government and professionals began analyzing and spaces in a manner different from general tourism- reorganizing the problems and strategies regarding the oriented preservation. regional development of historical districts. In addition, they proposed regional preservation and revitalization 2. Investigating the Practice of and Interaction programs as well as relevant modifications to urban between Communities, Architecture and Urban planning laws. When community development and Planning Professionals, and the Government the economic benefits of cultural tourism in historical Regarding Historical Preservation preservation areas became necessary for community In Taiwan, a system for historical preservation was developed by multiple social actors involving the promotion of government policy, the actions of urban *Contact Author: Huei-Chen Lee, Ph.D. Candidate, planning professionals, and the development of district Department of Architecture, National Taiwan University of preservation organizations. This paper discusses Science and Technology, 5 F., No. 53, Ln. 42, Minquan Rd., the effects of the government, communities, and Xindian Dist., New Taipei City 231, Taiwan (R.O.C.). professionals and their practices on the preservation Tel: +886932127688 Fax: +886229139242 and revitalization of historical districts through a case E-mail: hueijane.lee@gmail.com ( Received March 16, 2017 ; accepted July 23, 2018 ) study on two distinct historical districts. DOI http://doi.org/10.3130/jaabe.17.433 Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering/September 2018/440 433 Because historical preservation involves regional through the canal trade and forestry product exchange development and living space for many people, in Taiwan during the mid-19th century and were multiple dimensions must be considered before modernized during the period of Japanese rule in commencing preservation projects; such projects the early 20th century. The two districts were local must involve diverse aspects and integrate land usage commercial centers during those eras. Today, though policies and plans. Preservation provides a platform no longer local commercial centers, the two districts for local business and property owners to organize, remain the commercial centers for neighboring towns. fundraise, and improve local development with governmental support (Elsorady, 2012). The economic revitalization of historical districts requires continual cooperation between the government and local communities. Historic-district conservation professionals and their relationships with communities play a role in preservation; although these professionals cannot make decisions, they can help communities increase their capacity and knowledge of cultural heritage. Citizens supported by professionals are empowered to promote the development and systematization of heritage preservation (Nyseth and Sognnæs, 2013). The goal of revitalizing urban historical areas is shared by government agencies, landlords, residents, business owners, and local groups because of a common Fig.1. Locations of Sanxia and Daxi Districts interest; thus, participants are willing to be responsible and lead, and they can transform problems into The two districts differ in their preservation opportunities (Tiesdell et al., 1996). processes and current models of management. Their Healey (1998) formulated collaborative planning differences were investigated to analyze the interactive theory to solve problems involving centralized influences among the government policies, actions of city management in the United Kingdom and the urban planning and conservation professionals, and homogenization of European cities attributable to formation and development of district conservation globalization. According to Healey (1998), the key organizations and their effects on the preservation of factor in improving community quality through the historical districts. appropriate management lies in the cultural quality of The crucial texts regarding urban design adopted by local politics. With satisfactory integration, contacts, and this study were the official urban plans, official reports, knowledge, people can mobilize themselves to improve and news reports. In addition, field surveys of historical their local environments. Conversely, when political districts focusing on community organizations, power and knowledge resources are fragmented, people business owners, and residents were conducted, and cannot mobilize to change their communities. reports were consulted. According to Healey (1998), the importance of 3.1 Preservation Process of Sanxia District collaborative planning lies in unlocking the potential In the Qing dynasty, Sanxia produced large of a community's stakeholders. The three factors quantities of woad, camphor, and tea. During the of institutional capacity are knowledge resources, Japanese colonial period, the introduction of suits relational resources, and mobilization potentials. and kimonos resulted in the decline of the traditional Collaborative planning in urban planning enables the dyeing industry, and dyeing shops were converted into establishment of a system through the aforementioned shops selling suits, gofuku, and cloth, grocery stores, three factors. Collaborative planning theory can and hospitals. After World War 2, siltation and river characterize the power dynamics of institutions, actors, transportation ceased. The center of local development and structures. The theory was adopted to examine shifted, and numerous residents moved. In the 1960s, the policy, community, and professional practices of the mining industry in Sanxia peaked, resulting in the the knowledge resources, relational resources, and development of coffin shops, medical centers, and mobilization potentials for preserving and revitalizing daily consumer services. Sanxia District had eight or historical districts and exploring the problems facing nine coffin shops during this peak period, but they the preservation and revitalization of Taiwan's gradually closed because coal mining declined, and historical districts. the prevalence of cremation increased. The local population was moving, abandoning stores. (Figs.1. 3. Case Analysis and 2.). The two historical districts explored in this study, which share similar characteristics, both emerged 434 JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee Affairs designated Minquan Street as a historical site in 1991. Local residents in opposition to the preservation protested the designation of monuments, citing reasons such as inappropriate monument-listing procedures, loss of interest, appearance of buildings, and insufficient confidence in the government (Mi, 1991). The Council of Cultural Affairs held several meetings to attempt to resolve land development concerns by transferring development rights; however, the Construction and Planning Agency, Ministry of the Interior was unable to cooperate in urban planning because of deficiencies in the relevant laws. During this period, despite the earnestness of professionals and civil groups, the government was unable to propose supporting measures, such as the financial planning of the restoration, environmental planning, and building maintenance. The designation of monuments was ultimately cancelled because of the opposition of residents. 3.1.2 Opportunities for Building Preservation: Integration of Government Policy to Satisfy Public Demand After the cancellation of the monument-preservation and street-widening projects, the government and professionals began to seek compensatory strategies in area-specific plans for historical areas and floor-area ratio transfer. In 1998, officials from the government of Fig.2. Sanxia District Plan (Hsu, 2012) Taipei County and Sanxia Township office discussed designating Sanxia District as the Sanxia Cultural Landscape Area. Restrictions on the floor-area ratio were loosened, but landlords were required to maintain the original cityscape, including the façades, and to conduct the necessary restorations. A modified urban plan proposed by the Taipei County government was adopted (a redevelopment plan for the Sanjiaoyong historical district) designating Minquan Street as a historical area. In the same year, the deputy mayor established a coordination and promotion committee for street preservation. All problems related to preservation and restoration were solved through cross- departmental and ministerial collaboration. In 2002, the Taipei County government employed architects to promote the reconstruction and planning Fig.3. Sanxia in the Past (Chang, 2006) of Sanxia. These architects established an on-site office. The repair of traditional Sanxia shophouses 3.1.1 During the Initial Stages, the Governmental included the renovation of interior structures, Preservation Policy cannot be Coordinated with bathroom facilities, and kitchen pipes. In addition Professional Strategies and Population Needs to repair, relevant cityscape improvements for the In the 1971 urban plan of Sanxia Township, surrounding and connecting alleys were conducted, Minquan Street was designated to be widened from including installing underground pipelines for sewage, 8 to 15 meters. As the government was preparing to telecommunications, gas, electricity, and cable expropriate Minquan Street in 1989, several residents television. and the Yaoshan Foundation, which assists historical In summary, the conservation of Sanxia depended preservation projects, drafted a petition regarding on the cross-integration of bureaus and offices of the the widening of Minquan Street, demanding that the central and local governments and communication government preserve the street. between on-site professionals and local residents. With the combined ef forts of nonprofits, professionals, and scholars, the Council of Cultural JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee 435 3.1.3 Restoring the Buildings did not Halt the By comparing an investigation conducted in 2003 Decline of the District Networks (Lee, 2003) and one in 2013 by the present author, The residents of the district were divided into the we determined that only 4% of the original shops Sanxia Minquan Street Self-Help Society, who wanted remained, and the rest had altered operations. Before the historical district dismantled, and the Sanxia Street restoration, residences and stores selling necessities Redevelopment Committee, who wanted it preserved. accounted for 65% of shops on Minquan Street. In Neither organization is currently active. When the addition, before restoration, 14 folk art shops were restoration of the historical buildings and the landscape located on Minquan Street, and the development of and road improvements were completed in 2007, the the cultural tourism industry had already commenced. government allocated a preservation fund to the Sanxia After restoration, multiple shops that had been Street authorities for establishing a management repurposed into housing because of declining business committee to handle the follow-up preservation had become stores again, but shops selling groceries, and management efforts. The committee was not hardware, and motor oil disappeared (Table 1.). established because of internal problems, and the funds Table 1. First-Floor Stores in Sanxia District in 2003 and 2013 were recovered by the government. The organizational Type of stores 2003 (%) 2013 (%) mobilization of the district did not persist after the Housing 47 1 restoration and resurfaced only after the Sanxia Daily necessities 18 6 Street Business Circle Development Association was Temples and folk supply 4 1 formed with the assistance of the government in 2012. Coffin shops 2 1 Maintaining this association was difficult because of Tourism 14 91 the rapid flow of tenants and the unwillingness of most Abandoned 9 0 landlords to participate. Dismantled 6 0 Because the neighboring land had already been expropriated, residents had difficulty reconstructing After restoration, in 2007, average monthly rents in their buildings; it was not until the central government Sanxia doubled and then quadrupled from the previous granted subsidies between 2002 and 2006 that the amount of NT$20,000. In 2013, rent for first-floor buildings in the district were repaired and preserved. shops was between NT$50,000–100,000. Because However, most of the residents had already moved out preservation has revitalized the area, landlords rarely of the buildings because of their states of disrepair or live there: renting their properties produces high abandonment. In other words, despite the building and incomes, with nearly 90% of shopfronts being rented. site repairs, the residents had already disappeared, and After Sanxia was restored and stores had been in the community network vanished, undermining the operation for 7 years, revenues exhibited a decreasing subsequent management of the historical district. trend; however, rent continued increasing, causing 3.1.4 Gentrification and Homogenization Generated financial crises. Currently, Sanxia does not have a by Historical Area Tourism major distinguishing industry: its stores are primarily In 2004, shophouse restoration began in Sanxia, tourism-oriented, offering wares such as antique lasting for 3 years. In 2013, statistics on commerce furniture, ceramics, toys, and souvenirs. The increased before and after restoration were studied, revealing rents means that specialized industries that required that it had greatly altered. Analysis of the shops long durations were unable to survive. The problems indicated that business opportunities caused by that Sanxia has encountered are enhancements and preservation planning reduced the number of home- other typical developments that are similar to those of and community-based retail stores, transforming the other historic tourist areas. district into a tourism-centered district (Fig.3.). 3.2 The Preservation of Daxi District During the Qing dynasty, Daxi District was located at the end of the Dahan River transportation route and was a distribution point for economic resources such as wood, rattan, camphor, and mountain herbs. In the Japanese colonial period, Japanese trading companies developed the Daxi mountain area because of its camphor, and Daxi remained a crucial distribution center for agricultural products. In the 1970s, with economic development in Taiwan and most households valuing altars, their manufacture became a crucial industry on Heping Road. The development of the dried tofu industry in Daxi began in 1975 in the Cihu Mausoleum of Late President Chiang and was built in Daxi for the numerous visitors (Huang, 2008), (Fig.4.). Fig.4. Sanxia in the Present 436 JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee Fig.5. Daxi District Plan (Huang, 2008) 3.2.1 Pr ofessionals Adopted the Mode of store surveys and organize cultural festivals. Local Community Development for Historical Districts community organizations maintained the local In Daxi District, preservation was spurred by characteristics of historical districts. incentives for community development and façade 3.2.3 Preservation and Revitalization of Industries preservation. In 1996, historic-district conservation Operated by Community Organizations professionals established an onsite team, Caodianwei Since 1996, the Daxi Township office, local Studio, which assisted the township to administer a residents and professionals have continued to devote cash-reward strategy for a 5-year façade preservation themselves to the preservation and revitalization of project. Resources for community development were the historical district. Approximately 30 wood shops introduced to cultivate local organizations. In August still operate in Daxi District, and most are self-owned 1996, residents organized and established the Taoyuan shopfronts, where the business owners live and work. Tashi District Redevelopment Society (TTOSRS). The development of the dried tofu industry resulted in During this process, professional district preservation seven dried tofu stores, located on Heping Road. The used a community development approach to empower wood and dried tofu industries are crucial industries local residents and assist them to establish local that still exist on Heping Road; these industries help organizations. Through resident involvement in local maintain the district's crucial characteristics. affairs, the organizations had the capacity to mitigate By comparing an investigation conducted in 2003 problems regarding district preservation. (Lee, 2003) and one in 2013 conducted by the present 3.2.2 A Locally Operated Community Organization author, in Daxi District, we determined that 46% of the In 1997, the TTOSRS applied for funding from the stores maintained the same operating status in 2013 government to perform a living-space beautification as they did in 2003, whereas the rest of the stores had project on Heping Road. The organization formulated altered operations. Because of the tourism benefits five working directions on the basis of residential generated by historical district preservation, buildings consensus: façade archway protection and restoration, used for housing were converted into stores. In underground-pipeline installation, lighting system addition, the tourism benefits and the aging of business upgrades, arcade ceiling and floor tile installation, owners resulted in the gradual disappearance of dry and street furniture acquisition. To coordinate façades cleaning and grocery stores (Table 2.). throughout the district, the organization planned to Table 2. Statistics of Store Numbers in Heping District, Daxi in remodel the modern façades of 60 buildings as antique- 2003 and 2013 style façades. The organization actively worked Type of stores 2003(%) 2013(%) to preserve Daxi and prompted the government to Housing 24 5 repair façade archways and spaces exhibiting local Daily necessities 15 5 characteristics. Temples and folk supply 3 1 The organization worked not only to improve Wood workshops 39 31 structures but also to enable local cultural activities Dried tofu shops 3 7 by supporting local organizations to obtain auxiliary Tourism 12 51 programs from the central government. For example, Open spaces and construction sites 4 0 funding from a business circle image-consultation project developed by the Department of Commerce, Daxi residents possess great energy to transform Ministry of Economic Affairs was used in the Daxi the local industry. During the preservation process Food Fair and Wood and Arts Exhibition to conduct and the operation of community organization, JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee 437 certain phenomena were observed in Daxi. On the characteristics, after participating in the TTOSRS. basis of interviews and discussions on domestic and Consequently, a community organization comprising international historical preservation by community local business owners assisted in enhancing self- organizations and the self-learning process that came improvement skills for store operation and forming with TTOSRS operation, most business owners came district characteristics. to share a common vision for district operation and 3.3 Comparing Preservation Processes in Sanxia were certain that distinguishable local industries must and Daxi develop. The TTOSRS also assisted local store owners Minquan Street in Sanxia and Heping Street in Daxi to have a clear vision regarding the district landscape, differed in their preservation processes and outcomes. the usage of arcades and streets, and space quality. Although the historical industries and neighborhood The Caodianwei Studio and TTOSRS shared the same networks continue to exist in Daxi, those of Sanxia vision: to develop industries with local features, value have completely disappeared, and Sanxia became a existing tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and commercial district oriented toward historical tourism. preserve archway façades and arcade space fluency The effects of government policies, the practices of (Fig.5.). urban planning and conservation professionals, and the formation and development of district conservation organizations on the characteristics and preservation of the two districts are visible. Table 3. illustrates the crucial themes of the three actors. As shown in the case of Daxi, the collaborative planning by a district network and organization, professionals, and the government to acquire knowledge resources, relational resources, and mobilization networks was required to reinforce the in situ and unique characteristics of the historical district. Table 3. Comparing the Development of Sanxia and Daxi Item Theme Sanxia Daxi Community Vital community network. practice Internal mobilization of ¾ Fig.6. Daxi District in the Present cultural resources for economic revitalization. Residents own most of the property on Heping Self-management by ¾ Road; therefore, a high proportion of owners live on community organizations Heping Road and run their own shops. Young adults in proposing and implementing district in Daxi also devote themselves to participating in the preservation and local tourist industry. Town Tofu Pudding, located at revitalization plans. No. 34-2 Heping Road, and Japanese Style Handmade ¾ ¾ Professional Professionals enter the Tofu, located at No. 54 Heping Road, produce distinct practice community and form products that represent the Daxi dried tofu industry. Yao a studio for in-depth Teahouse, located at No. 91 Heping Road, integrates communication with the the wood industry and food. The young generation also locals and for connecting participates in the conceptualization and execution of the community with the government. new family businesses. The TTOSRS held activities for Professionals successfully ¾ local children, also facilitating children's participation promote the operations of in public affairs regarding district preservation. These community organizations. connections developed different ideas regarding Continual collaboration ¾ district preservation development among the young between the professional generation. The Gu family of No. 48 and No. and the community 48-1 Heping Road founded the Taiwan Old House organizations. Regeneration Association, which cooperated with Government Continual funding in various professionals and scholars, with the core value policy community-led historical of preserving the heritage of traditional techniques and district preservation and revitalization plans reusing old houses in the process of integrating the Policies promoted the ¾ ¾ operation and repair of their own old house. formation of community Interviews with business owners from Daxi District organizations. revealed that local residents had their own ideas and Gradual establishment ¾ ¾ were willing to devote themselves to operating and of the preservation and modeling the district, producing products with local revitalization system. 438 JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee Table 3. also illustrates the differences between the two and government and when community training assists historical districts in the community, professional, and the organization to formulate and implement district policy practices involved in their preservation. preservation and revitalization plans, local industries 3.3.1 Community Practice can continue to develop, thereby preserving the in situ In Daxi, approximately 60% of property owners and unique characteristics of the historical district. were found to still be operating their own stores, and 3.3.2 Professional Practice approximately 80% of them were still resident in the During the initial stage of the preservation of district. The presence of the original district network Sanxia, local residents either supported preservation or facilitated the operation of historical preservation demolition. Substantial conflict divided those residents organizations. The operation of historical preservation who supported demolition and professionals and organizations in Daxi indicated that local organizations scholars who supported preservation. Professionals and were largely devoted to local improvement projects scholars did not interact much with the community in regarding building maintenance, district repairs, and the late stages. In 2003, the entire area was renovated, industry promotion to obtain government funding, and a Sanjiaoyong District Planning onsite workstation environmental improvements, and the revitalization established by Hsu Yu-Jian Architects was responsible of the local tourist industry. Thus, community for responding to local residents' house repair demands. organizations devoted to preservation were necessary The studio overcame internal resistance and used in every locality to prepare communities for integrating professional communications to persuade the shopfront external resources in the preservation and revitalization owners, including those who initially planned partial of historical districts. repairs, to agree to complete repairs; this resulted in T h e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e T TOSR S c a n b e u se d complete district restoration. as a reference for the operation of other district During the preservation of Daxi, Tseng Tse- organizations. First, the TTOSRS maintained Fong established a professional team, Caodianwei satisfactory relations with preservation professionals, Studio, which extracted a residents' vision of district scholars, and groups, employing government resources preservation through discussion with residents. in the maintenance of public spaces, landscapes, and Simultaneously, the studio assisted residents in cultural activities. Second, the TTOSRS exhibited establishing the TTOSRS by introducing resources concern for women and young people by organizing and programs for community development provided activities. Consequently, in Daxi, numerous women by the government. Community organizations and young people have become entrepreneurs in the established by local residents empowered themselves tourist industry. Finally, organization members are by implementing district-preservation and community- unanimous that maintaining the landscape of the development programs. Subsequently, numerous district is essential. professionals, scholars, and groups cooperated with By contrast, after the decline of the mining industry Daxi's community organization. in Sanxia, numerous residents moved out. In the Dynamic professional practice is crucial in altering 1990s, multiple houses collapsed, and the buildings did the status quo. To professionally assist residents, not become suitable for human habitation again until empowering community organization and facilitating the government intervened. Approximately 90% of residents to mobilize the community are vital. The property owners did not return to live in Sanxia after continual support of professionals assisted the residents the district was renovated, and 90% of the buildings to operate community organizations and was crucial in were rented to store owners. The stores sold tourism- preservation. related goods, lacking local specialties. 3.3.3 Government Policy In the early stage of preservation, two groups existed The preservation of Daxi was supported by in Sanxia District, namely the Sanxia Minquan District community development policy, business circle Self-help Association, which supported demolition, and redevelopment policy, and regional cultural heritage the Sanxia District Redevelopment Committee, which promotion proposed by the central government, and supported maintenance. However, by the late stages of the dedication of the Taoyuan County government and preservation work, neither organization was active. In Daxi Township office to Daxi historical reconstruction. 2007, the government expected landlords to establish The continually operating program and fund a management committee and take responsibility for investment by the government provided Daxi with the subsequent maintenance and management of the the appropriate resources. The government programs district. However, this committee was not established, facilitated the new thinking and action models in and the retention funds were recovered. the district, thereby creating a sustainable force for As revealed in the two case studies, preserving a improving, maintaining, and preserving the quality of historical district requires a community organization the historical district. led by local residents as well as sufficient mobilization In the preservation of Sanxia, the government potential and relational resources. When the district program lacked guidance and building preservation network forms a new network with the professionals models and provoked the opposition of residents JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee 439 in the early stages. In the late stages, the residents' Acknowledgement unwillingness to preserve the district was mollified by We acknowledge Wallace Academic Editing for modifications to urban planning law regarding areas translating this manuscript into English. with historical features, floor-area ratio transfers, and funding for repairing buildings and surrounding References 1) Chang, P.C. (2006) Three Gorges street. Available at: http://blog. environments. In contrast to Daxi, Sanxia only xuite.net/karlcpc/bcc/5455523 [Accessed 1 March 2017]. passively received subsidies or cooperated with 2) Elsorady, D.A. (2012) Heritage conservation in Rosetta (Rashid): programs organized by the consultant company a tool for community improvement and development. Cities, 29 (6), contracted by the government without actively pp.379-388. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2011.11.013 implementing any program. 3) Han, P.T. (1981) The study on Lugang Historical Conservation district. Changhua, Taiwan: The Lukang Board of Antiquities (In Chinese). 4. Conclusions 4) Healey, P. (1998) Building institutional capacity through In the process of Sanxia and Daxi historical collaborative approaches to urban planning: Environment and preservation, we observed that districts where Planning A, 30, pp.1531-1546. community organizations are prosperous, such as Daxi, 5) Hsia, C.J. (1992) The conservation of historic districts. Taipei, Taiwan: Council for Cultural Affairs (In Chinese). developed into districts with rich local characteristics 6) Hsu, Y.C. (2001) Criticism on the policy and social dynamic of that manufacture products with local characteristics. Taiwan historic districts (1990–2000)–The case studies of Hukou Historical preservation transformed the districts Historic Street, Mengxia Bopiliao and Shenkeng Historic Street. because industries that integrate culture and business International Symposium on Cultural Heritage Revitalization, were developed. However, the transformation of the Taipei, Taiwan, pp.21-28 (In Chinese). 7) Hsu, Y.C. (2012) The opportunity and plight of sustainability plan cultural tourism industry lacking further development for urban conservation and regional humanism in Taiwan. Journal of the local industry and directed transformation of US-China Public Administration, 9 (6), pp.691-706. doi: https:// promoted by local community organizations easily ssrn.com/abstract=2465371 results in excessive tourism development lacking local 8) Huang, S.C. (2008) The planning of Daxi Heping Historical characteristics, such as what occurred in Sanxia. District. Taoyuan, Taiwan: Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taoyuan County Government. In the preservation of Sanxia, the government 9) Lee, H.C. and Shih, C.M. (2012) The conservation of historical implemented integration, persuading residents and districts in Taiwan since 1970. Paper presented at 2012 Second landlords who opposed preservation through clear International Conference on Electric Technology and Civil policy guidance and resource input. In addition, the Engineering (ICETCE) (pp.3021-3027), Three Gorges, YiChang, operation of a professional restoration team in the Hubei, China. 10) Lee, T.M. (2003) Study for generally conservation and sustainable community successfully preserved street spaces. In development of traditional town area in Taiwan. Taipei, Taiwan: Daxi, the government consistently provided policy Architecture and Building Research Institute (In Chinese). execution programs. Historical preservation was 11) Lin, C.C. (2008) Criticism on the historic conservation policy and conducted by gradual execution of relevant programs practice of the transfer of development rights in Taiwan. Journal of by central and local governments, professionals, and Culture Resources, 4, pp.27-92 (In Chinese). 12) Mi, F.K. (1991) The Conservation of Sanxia Historic Street. community residents. This highlights the importance Taipei, Taiwan: Ministry of the Interior (In Chinese). of consistent input of government policy and resources 13) Nyseth, T. and Sognnæs, J. (2013) Preservation of old downs regarding historical preservation. Therefore, policy and in Norway: heritage discourses, community processes and the professional development must be highly community- new cultural economy. Cities, 31, pp.69-75. doi: http://dx.doi. based because civil society supported by professionals org/10.1016/j.cities.2012.05.014 14) Tiesdell, S., Oc, T. and Heath, T. (1996) Revitalizing historic urban is a powerful factor in cultural heritage preservation Quarters. Oxford, UK: Architectural Press. development and systematization. For example, 15) Yu, C.C. (1996) A Study on the Specific District Plan and Urban in Daxi, professionals facilitated the formation of Design in Penghu Magong Historic Street. Magong, Taiwan: community organizations, which supported and Penghu County Government (In Chinese). facilitated historical preservation. Thus, not only were community networks preserved but also the physical environment. According to actor and action analysis, the operation of a historical district requires cooperation between the government and the community, participation by a diverse range of stakeholders, and emphasis on local knowledge and relational resources. Through collaborative planning to integrate knowledge resources, relational resources, and a mobilization network, the diverse communities and unique local knowledge can be presented. 440 JAABE vol.17 no.3 September 2018 Huei-Chen Lee
Journal
Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering
– Taylor & Francis
Published: Sep 1, 2018
Keywords: community practice; community empowerment; historical tourism; professional practice; policy practice
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